Au10Ag17(TPP)10(SR)6Cl5 nanocluster: structure, transformation and the origin of its photoluminescence

Nanocluster photoluminescence (PL) has important practical applications and its rationalization is therefore of significant interest. Here, we report the synthesis, structure determination and photoluminescence of Au10Ag17(TPP)(10)(SR)(6)Cl-5 (TPP = triphenylphosphine, SR = 3, 5-bis(trifluoromethyl)thiophenol, denoted as Au10Ag17). Au10Ag17 exhibited a low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 2.8%, which could be increased 15-fold by removing the two terminal silver atoms to give AgxAu25-x(SR)(5)(TPP)(10)Cl-2(2+) (x = 11-13, SR = 2-phenylethylmercaptan, abbrev. Au12Ag13). The discovery of such a PL switch constitutes an interesting opportunity to further understand the origin of fluorescence in nanoclusters.

Automated summary

The synthesis, structure determination, and photoluminescence of Au10Ag17 and Au12Ag13 nanoclusters were reported. Au10Ag17 exhibited a low photoluminescence quantum yield, while the removal of two terminal silver atoms led to a 15-fold increase in photoluminescence. The discovery of such a photoluminescence switch provides an interesting opportunity to understand the origin of fluorescence in nanoclusters.